By Howard Fischer
Capitol Media Services/Arizona Daily Star
If it sometimes seems like no one is driving that car in front of you that’s weaving in and out of traffic, you could soon be right.
State lawmakers are set to debate a proposal Thursday to set standards for “autonomous motor vehicles” on Arizona roads. If approved, driverless cars already in development could be on the road by later this year.
HB 2167 says anyone with a valid driver’s license can operate such a vehicle in fully automatic mode. Flip the switch and you’re free to read the morning paper on the way to work.
But the proposal by Rep. Jeff Dial, R-Chandler, actually goes further, saying the person who puts the vehicle into autonomous mode is considered the driver “regardless of whether the person is physically present in the motor vehicle.”
“Imagine coming to work and you basically get to work, your car drops you off at the front door and … parks itself in the garage,” he said. “Or, if you don’t have money to afford a car, your car will drop you off there, like a time-share thing,” driving itself to pick up the next client.
Lawmakers will get their first crack at the measure when it is heard Thursday in the House Transportation Committee.
